About Us

Petia Radneva-Manolova

Second Violin, Assistant Principal

Petia radneva-manolova

Joined the SSO: September 2000

Born: Bulgaria

Residence: East Syracuse, NY

Education: Master's in Violin Performance, Bulgarian National Conservatory, Sofia; Artist's Diploma in Violin Performance, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA

What is your earliest musical memory?
My older brother playing the violin.

Who are your most influential teachers?
Charles Stegeman and Andres Cardenes.

Who/what is your favorite composer, musical period, and/or musical work?
I am always in love with the piece I am playing in the present. Verdi's Requiem and Mozart's Rondo in B-flat Major are current favorites.

What is your favorite aspect of the performance experience?
The dress rehearsal, when everything comes together for the first time. It feels like a first kiss.

What is your favorite part of being a member of the SSO?
Making music together.

When you are not on stage, where might we find you?
Redecorating some part of my house for the sixth time, or gardening (and hoping I'll do better this time).

What is your favorite thing about Central New York?
I am always curious to know how people ended up settling in Syracuse.

More about me: I think the USA is an amazing country. I love traveling and getting to know more about Americans as a nation. Although I was born in Europe, I prefer traveling in the US, and rarely go back to the old continent.